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Posted: 2019-10-28 07:22:01

The Coolmore drew 18 entries but with the likelihood of only 10 acceptors, Godolphin are also looking at running Bivouac after he had no luck as favourite in the Manikato.

“He had a 1200m barrier trial [on Friday] and we are monitoring him at the moment, but Saturday is an option,” Godolphin trainer James Cummings said. “It will be a decision for later in the week but if he did run Hugh Bowman would switch on to him and we would have to find another jockey for Microphone.”

Maher was delighted to get a group 1 with Loving Gaby, which has raced at the highest level her whole career. She was unlucky when on the heels of the placegetters in the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper before being runner-up in the Sires' Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes.

“She is still learning and is still bit raw and new,” Maher said. “She has raced in five group 1s in eight starts, so basically that is all she knows.

"She had bad luck in the Blue Diamond at her second start and Golden Slipper at her third and was rounded enough to overcome it. She has been a work in progress.

“She bounced well on Friday and put herself in the race and showed she is one of the best sprinters in the country.

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“What race we'll go to will come down to what is best for her because she would be a very good chance in both races.”

Maher will also start Dubious in the Coolmore and should be a major player with Thought Of That the second favourite for Victoria Derby at $4.20.

However, there is a chance he could wait for the Mackinnon Stakes at weight-for-age on the final day with the prospect of rain later in the week in Melbourne.

The blinkers have been the key for the son of So You Think, which won a Donald maiden by eight lengths before making the Caulfield Classic a one-act affair with a three-and-three-quarter length victory.

“He is a very straightforward horse and once we put the blinkers on him he went to another level,” Maher said.

“He is just coming good at the right time and keeps improving. He has got the engine to do it and he goes really well for Linda Meech, who is a big part of his success.”

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